from

preposition

ˈfrəm 

ˈfräm,

 also  fəm

1

a

—used as a function word to indicate a starting point of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring or reckoning or in a statement of limits

came here from the city

a week from today

cost from $5 to $10

b

—used as a function word to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity

called me from a pay phone

ran a business from her home

2

—used as a function word to indicate physical separation or an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion, release, subtraction, or differentiation

protection from the sun

relief from anxiety

3

—used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis

we conclude from this

a call from my lawyer

inherited a love of music from his father

worked hard from necessity

Examples of from in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The industry's value balloons to at least $3 billion when counting money spent by private schools and in higher education, according to another report from data analytics firm Omdia. —Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025

Teams must also play at least once each year against a team from another Power 4 conference —the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 — or against Notre Dame. —Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2025

Enforced primarily by judge Carrie Ann Inaba, the rule prohibits lifts in traditional ballroom and Latin dances—defined as any moment when a dancer has both feet off the ground with help from their partner. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

How will clubs deal with betting companies being banned from shirt-front advertising in the coming years? —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English from, fram; akin to Old High German fram, adverb, forth, away, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for from

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• frum
• glum
• gum
• hum

Kids Definition

from

preposition

(ˈ)frəm 

ˈfräm

1

—used to show a starting or central point

came here from the city

a letter from home

ran a business from home

2

—used to show removal or separation

the dictator fell from power

subtract 3 from 9

far from safe

3

—used to show a material, source, or cause

a doll made from rags

reading aloud from a book

suffering from a cold